From Sending Dozens Of Job Applications, To Starting a Company Worth Millions

You have been applying for jobs for the last year or so and you are just about ready to give up. This is what most people would decide to do. After all, what is the use of sending any more applications?

This however, was not the case with Eric Odhiambo founder of The Pryme Events. After getting a Diploma in food and beverage production from the Railways Training Institute in 2007, he applied for many jobs without success.

“I sent out dozens of applications but none was positive. I had no option but to start a small business in order to sustain myself,” he says.

So Where Did You Start?

“I began selling second-hand shoes in Umoja Nairobi. I would trek to Gikomba Market where I’d buy the shoes at Ksh150 and sell them at between Ksh300 and Ksh400 a pair,” the 2007 graduate recently told Money pull-out.

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This business enabled him to earn 15K per month which was just enough to fulfil all his basic needs but did not enable him to make any savings.

In 2010, he decided to close his business and ended up getting a job as a manager at a beauty salon in the CBD.

While at his job, the 30 year old build a good rapport with some of the customers and it enabled him to come up with his business idea.

“I asked them what business they thought would be good for me to start. They told me an events organizing company would do well and I decided to start one,” he says

Where Did You Get Funding?

“I started saving Ksh7,000 a month and from my Ksh.30,000 salary and by February 2012, I had Ksh200,000,” he reveals to the paper.

He then went on to register his business, The Pryme Events and ended up landing his first contract to organize and host a road show.

“I used nearly all the Ksh200,000 but made Ksh30,00.It was not satisfactory but I knew it was a good start,” he confirms.

Not a man to give up, Mr. Odhiambo has since landed deals with Postbank, Yamaha, Heineken Mingle Shows and Kituo Cha Sheria.

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He has five employees working for him and a standby team turn to when need arises Adding that he pays himself every month since he is also one of the staff.

If you had though that his diploma went down the drain, then you better think again. Mr. Odhiambo opened a restaurant at Inoorero University in Parklands.

He says that, “I have partnered with a friend whom we have invested in Ksh500,000 in the venture. It will do well since I have a specialty in food and beverage production.”

What Have You Learned From Your Business?

“People are the money. You have to reach out to potential partners who can propel you. I can never shy away from a potential partner. Hence, I would rather own a 50 per cent stake in a multi –million firm than a 100 per cent share in a company worth Ksh100,000,” he says.

The entrepreneur also says that, “I have learnt never to perceive any business opportunity as too small or insignificant,” adding that, “I go for every available opportunity from weddings to birthdays to big corporate events.”

Mr. Odhiambo is proof that where there is a will there is a way.

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Courtesy: Money